President Buhari-led Administration Is Human Rights’ Compliant – Malami
The Federal Government said it has complied with the 2018 White paper recommendations on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police in line with its observance of human rights in the country.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, who stated the position of the Federal Government while inaugurating the 5TH Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja on Monday, also said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is human right compliant.
Malami specifically said that the disbandment of SARS and the setting up of Various panels of Inquiry investigating and awarding damages for human rights violations by SARS is a clear testimony to the fact that this government is fulfilling its international obligation to set up an independent National Human Rights Commission for the Promotion and protection of the rights of Nigerians.
The AGF also said that It is known fact that the present government had complied with the award of damages for victims of the 2012 Apo killings of Okada riders by security agents.
He further said; “I am happy to note that in recognition of the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles, the Commission has been graded with ‘A Status’ in the comity of national Human Rights Institutions by the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
“The Commission has affiliate status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. These give the Commission access to all necessary meetings at the UN and AU Levels. This is indeed gratifying and it beholds on the Governing Council to uphold and improve on the standard achieved by the previous Councils and the Management of the Commission before now,” Malami said.
The Minister urged the Council members to be guided by the Act, and relevant Government Circulars on tenure, the part-time mandate of members except the Executive Secretary, emoluments etc.
He further said that the 2010 amendment provided that in the discharge of its functions and exercise of its powers, the Commission shall not be under the control of any authority or person.
In the words of Malami; “All these measures have been taken to ensure that the Commission is able to advise the Government properly in the fulfillment of its international human rights obligations and protect and promote the human rights of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria without fear or favor in line with the Paris Principles.
“The Government amended the NHRC Act in 2010 for its operational independence by entrenching the tenure of members and ensuring adequate funding and effectiveness of the Commission.
“Since the 2010 Amendment of the NHRC Act, members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate before appointment letters are issued.
“Again the funds of the Commission are now under the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. This means that funds appropriated for the Commission are released one hundred percent to perform its functions,” the AGF said.
